[BLOG] Thoughts On The Controversary Behind Biopics.
So my last post was about the Jamie Foxx/MLK project being a no go because of the script and how they wanted to represent Martin Luther King Jr. Then I think about biopics and how much controversy get’s sparked when they are being made and released. In my opinion we protect celebrities, political figures or person of importance entirely too much. Why? Because of the ridiculous amount of backlash that a biopic gets when it reveals the darkest moments of their times. Who the hell is perfect? Does flaws take away the accomplishments they have done for the world? Absolutely not. Do people know what a biopic is? Let’s look up the definition.
biopic (ˈbaɪəʊˌpɪk)
n1. (Film) a film based on the life of a famous person, esp one giving a popular treatment
Now that that’s cleared up let me get to the point. If we are doing a biopic on a famous figure and they are sniffing coke throughout the whole thing, why is that an issue? It’s their story. Their flaws. Acceptance doesn’t ring a bell for anyone? I love biopics because I know behind any famous figure’s million dollar smile and inspirational “be a go getter” repetitive attitude during interviews viewed by millions, that there is something much deeper. Especially when a some famous figure has had controversy shadowing them their whole career. Why are we supposed to hide those details in a film if it’s their story? I understand representation. I don’t disagree that it’s up to the writers and directors to create an appropriate story so these people don’t look like monsters. However, we only see famous figures from what they allow us to see.
Through social media such as Instagram and Facebook, they post and write what they want us to know. The real shit is behind closed doors. Do I think we have to capture every single dark moment to make them seem as “real” as possible? Nope. If it has relevance to the decisions they have made in their career that was publicized? Yes.
For example, MLK had some controversy with adultery and conspiracy allegations during the end of his life. I’m sure people are screaming to have this be ignored for the rest of forever. If that’s what happened to Martin Luther King then leave it be. If it’s truth, it’s there forever and we cannot run from that. It wouldn’t make me respect him less. I think he is one of the greatest historical figures. Most of you only know MLK from his “I Had a Dream Speech”. There is so much more to that man no one knows, good and bad.This is why you buy the ticket and see the movie. What else was MLK faced with? Did he really believe his own words? What troubled him the most? Those are things I want to see in a biopics. I want to learn more about the person that has been idolized for years.
Stop protecting people from facts. I guarantee each and every person you love as a figure has made a foolish mistake. That is life. That’s why we love them. They are not perfect but they left a mark in history. I really wish that we could respect biopics a lot more. I’m sure there are some shitty ones but the ones that are worthy to me are the ones you give you the real story. It also depends on what kind of story we are trying to tell. I want the real truth. I want to know why these famous figure struggled and what it took to get there. That’s inspirational to me. I don’t believe in dragging someone down for entertainment, now that’s not fair. Like I mentioned earlier, if it has some relevance to why he or she has done the things they have done to strive to success, let us in on it.
If you chose to have a biopic cloud your judgement on what your role model, favorite celebrity or famous figure means to you, then hey that’s all you.
Just some thoughts…